School officials felt blindsided by the recent election bill that Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law last week.

“Snyder talks about being transparent and then he signs this bill,” said Dan Danosky, Livingston Educational Service Agency superintendent. “Really? It simply amazed me that he signed it.”

The new law limits ways city, township, school and other officials can publicize ballot information 60 days prior to an election, which shocked many across the state and has already become a problem for many in the community.

The bill, Senate Bill 571, prohibits local government and other taxing bodies from distributing fliers, sending out mailings, and buying newspaper and broadcast advertising to discuss or advertise millage proposals and ballot issues.

“This is ... worrisome to us in this profession (public education) and will absolutely affect us because it is vital for us to publicize (that close to an election),” Danosky explained. “Had we not been able to talk about, publicize or campaign about our recent Headlee rollback millage, it would not have passed.”

A shortfall in special-education funding required local school districts to use roughly $15 million of their general education budgets to provide special-education services, and the millage that passed last November is currently helping restore $7 million of that used money.

“We were pretty close to the election date when we first announced this, and I honestly do not think we would have passed if we didn’t use all of our resources to educate people,” Danosky said. “Typically people call last minute before an election to be clarified on information so they can understand and make sure they are making an informed decision. I’m not sure what will happen now when we receive those calls.”

The local public school superintendents met recently to discuss what the bill could mean for the local schools.

Howell Public Schools Superintendent Erin MacGregor said he was “very disappointed” with the legislation, like many others. He was disappointed not only for what the bill means for schools, but how it was done.

“This strips us of the opportunity to inform our community before they head to the polls ... and there was no open discussion about it (before it was signed),” said MacGregor. “The recent technology bond that passed in November is a great example. We didn’t get to really kick this campaign off until late August.”

Danosky doesn't believe the technology bond would have passed, either.

"I don't think either one (LESA millage and Howell technology bond) would have passed if we didn't have the remaining 60 days," Danosky said. "Both LESA and Howell used several resources to get out accurate information and answer community questions."

MacGregor said unless changes to the new law occur, which he said he isn’t too optimistic will happen, Howell school officials will have to review its strategic plan for future ballot proposals or millages.

Luckily, none of the districts have an upcoming millage or bond proposal.

“We have the luxury to watch others during the next election and see how this plays out before we have to do it ourselves,” Danosky said.